Knowledge Traits usually develop from time spent in formalized classroom training, private tutoring or rigorous independent study. Most involve the use of Mental Attributes rather than Physical ones. Lupus and metis characters may have fewer Knowledges than homid characters – which isn’t because they’re unintelligent, but just because they haven’t sat through years of compulsory schooling. If a character doesn’t have any dots in a Knowledge Ability, she can make a roll for it but, the roll is at a +2 difficulty and only something that is common sense can be rolled for.
Computer
“I’ve finished the new relational database,” Svedana said, tired but elated “I think it has at least 700 names and addresses in it. Everything we need to know for the other team to run its investigations.”
“Excellent!” Ilmir, her pack leader, replied. “We’ll get to work right away. There must be a few lost cubs among the bloodline, or at least some Kin. Your work has given us a strong start.” He praised. The young Silver Fang blushed with pride at his words.
Knowledge of the computers includes operating the machines as well as the programs (word-processing, information-retrieval and so on). Depending on the character’s level of expertise, she can make computers spit out useful information or even design her own operating system. The Computer Knowledge is required for anyone who wants to write programs or hack into other people’s systems, and the Storyteller should feel free to adjust difficulties based on any opposing intruder countermeasures.
* Student:
Shareware games are just your speed.
** College: You can make minor changes in system configurations
and networks.
*** Masters: You can write original programs.
**** Doctorate: Minor hacking is a snap, no more long distance
bills for you.
***** Scholar: You’ve got the ability to design a whole
new operating system, maybe even an AI.
Possessed by:
Hackers, Glass Walkers, Software Engineers, Executive Assiatants, Students.
Specialties: Databases, Hacking, Viruses, Computer Languages,
Internet, Web Design.
Enigmas
Duncan pondered the new challenge from his pack leader. Find a true Fianna tale that has never been told? Where on Earth… Then, the Galliard had a though. He’d heard that tinker Kink had kept tales going for generations. Surely they knew a few that hadn’t reached the ears of Fianna in the New World. Now, it was just a matter of tracking some down and Duncan recalled that caravans appeared regularly on the borders this time of year....
Logic problems, puzzles and mysteries are all in the realm of Enigmas. Characters with this Knowledge link information and hunches together to solve conundrums of all varieties, from the spiritual to the material. It’s not that they have any sort of ESP, they just put things together uncannily well. Those character who have Enigmas probably enjoy matching wits against devious villains or even packmates in contests of the mind.
* Student:
You always solve the daily crossword.
** College: Why bother to read whodunits? You always know
the ending.
*** Masters: The pack regards you as the resident riddle
master when witty spirits are around.
**** Doctorate: You can win contests of logic even with faulty
information.
***** Scholar: Even the deepest philosophical mysteries and
issues are clear to you.
Possessed by:
Theurges, Mystics, Wise Elders, Gamers, Mystery Fans, Puzzle-Lovers.
Specialties: Logic Problems, Ancient Mysteries, Things Werewolves
Weren’t Meant to Know.
Investigation
Tomas scratched a sore, his scaly skin itching like crazy in the dry desert heat. “Well, Mrs Ironox, I’d say your cattle rustler is of the two-legged variety.”
“Because you smelled no wolves?” his elderly Kinfolk neighbor asked with an arm around her 11-year old granddaughter.
“No, because I found her tracks in my mind,” the metis grinned handing her a plastic cast showing a kid’s sneakers, and winking at the girl. “Looks like we have another New Moon hanging around in a few years.”
Relying on physical evidence, explanations from witnesses or sheer luck, characters with Investigation are knowledgeable about crimes and criminals. They can often distinguish murder from accident or solves thefts and kidnappings by assembling and pondering the clues. This knowledge also provides the character with what he needs to know to perform general forensic procedures, such as lifting fingerprints or figuring an approximate time of death.
* Student:
You’ve read some detective novels, and you know the lingo.
** College: You can tear holes in a rookie cop’s case.
*** Masters: You could make a living as a PI.
**** Doctorate: You’re good enough to be a secret agent
for the FBI or CIA.
***** Scholar: No witness or scrap of evidence could possibly
evade your attention.
Possessed by:
Detectives, Police, Reporters, Special Agents.
Specialties: Evidence, Ballistics, Forensics, Fingerprints.
Law
“You’re outta luck, Miss Daniels,” the tanker captain smirked. “State court just ruled we’re not liable for that spill and since you’re a hot-shot lawyer, you know double jeopardy’ll prevent another trial.”
Lilly gave him a cold smile. “Don’t start celebrating just yet, Captain. You see, it won’t be double jeopardy when I appeal the states’ decision to a federal court. And you can forget my offer to plea down in criminal negligence this time.” She nodded to the deputy. “Now get this bastard out of here before I really lose my temper.”
Law encompasses many areas the enforcer system, legal code and the workings of the courts. Characters in trouble with the police will need this knowledge (or a lawyer friend) to get them out of any legal tangles. This Knowledge also covers Garou law, such as the various codes grown up around the Litany – and the appropriate punishments for crims against the Garou Nation. Although most lawyers have an area of expertisem such as immigration law, most state bars don’t recognise these as such. The characters might have a very interesting time if their counsellor doesn’t have a clue about environmental law….
* Student:
You know a few classic cases and the basis of the legal system.
** College: You could pass the bar exam.
*** Masters: Chances are, you’re a much-sought counsellor.
**** Doctorate: You’re capable of adjusting and writing
law.
***** Scholar: There are few cases or matters of jurisprudence
you don’t know about.
Possessed by:
Philodox, Lawyers, Police, Judges, Detectives, Crime Writers, TV Viewers.
Specialties: Procedure, Gorou Law, Specific Types (Criminal,
Contacts, Liability, etc.), Courts.
Linguistics
The spirit looked to be a medieval warrior of some kind, possibly Norman or Carolingian, judging from the slightly vowels. Merriam listened closely as he repeated his demand. Yes! She recognized the dialect as a direct forebear to the French she’d learned during an extended stay in Paris. Hope she doesn’t mind I’m not one of his own tribe, the Strider thought as she considered the knight’s plea.
Werewolves already know three languages: a human language of choice, wolfspeak and the Garou tongue. The linguistics Knowledge allows a character to add to her language repertoire; the greater her level of Linguistics, the more languages she can speak. Because language acquisition builds upon itself, making it easier to learn subsequent tongues, the levels of ability double the number of languages known. This progression also reflects the fact that many languages are related to each other. Additionally, the character may choose to learn unspoken languages, such as ASL, or specialize in unique dialects or accents. Remember that lupus who don’t spend any freebie points on this Knowledge don’t speak any human tongue.
* Student:
One additional language.
** College: Two additional languages.
*** Masters: Four additional languages.
**** Doctorate: Eight additional languages.
***** Scholar: True polyglot, 16 additional languages.
Possessed by:
Diplomats, World Travelers, Linguists, Interpreters, Silent Striders.
Specialties: Slang, Business Terms, Idioms, Artificial Languages,
Alphabets.
Medicine
Kalani plucked out the last silver buckshot from her patient. “Try not to get yourseld messed up so soon, Matt. It hasn’t been a day since you were in here with gashes from a fight with those spirals. Give yourself a rest! Doctor’s orders.”
The Uktena grinned sheepishly at his friend. “Typical Half Moon, always looking out for the pack. I promise I’ll wait at least a week.” Kalani rolled her eyes. Ahroun made the worst patients.
Medicine is the stuffy of health, function and wellness of the human body, and it also includes an understanding of anatomy and physiology. Characters with this Knowledge can diagnose and treat disease and injuries. They can likewise care for wolves and other animals, although their expertise will not be as specific as a veterinarian will have. Medicine also confers a familiarity with pharmaceuticals, legal and otherwise, that can help and harm.
* Student:
You know advanced first aid and CPR.
** College: You could be a successful emergency medical technician
(EMT).
*** Masters: With the right paperwork, you can work as a
general practitioner.
**** Doctorate: You’re capable of performing surgery.
***** Scholar: You’re one of the greatest healers of
your tribe.
Possessed by:
MDs, Med Students, Theurges, Nurses, Paramedics, Military Personnel.
Specialties: Emergency, Medicine, Forensic Pathology, Specific
Fields (Pediatrics, Neurology, etc.)
Occult
Michel dropped the latest stack of papers and books on Aerik’s already cluttered desk. “This batch looked particularly ripe. Look at the titles of some of these things: A Book of the Walking Dead, One Thousand Nights of Vampires, Prince Valerian the Vampire and the Werewolf’s Revenge. Where do they get this stuff?”
Aerik studied the tomes his fellow Theurge had brought. “Don’t know, but this one is interesting.” He pointed at a graphic woodcut in the last of the books. It showed what was unmistakably a werewolf wielding a Klaive, in a bitter fight with a finely dressed Leech. “I think it’s time we did some more checking up on this author. Someone knows more abut the damn bloodsuckers than they’re telling. And we need a good lead right now.”
The character has a working knowledge of the occult, including (but not limited to) psychic phenomena, magic tarot and general mysticism. This knowledge, based on folklore and human works as it is, doesn’t always present the actual truth – just what is known. For instance, using Occult to study vampires doesn’t necessarily grant you knowledge of their deepest secrets. Instead, you would possess common folk wisdom about the blood-suckers. This principle hold true for most other denizens of the World of Darkness as well. Still, this Knowledge is undeniably useful for gathering information and studying general weirdness.
* Student:
Ouija boards and tarot cards are about your speed.
** College: You know someone realities of the spiritual world.
*** Masters: Werewolves aren’t the only mystical critters
running around!
**** Doctorate: You can pick credible stories out of the
tabloids.
***** Scholar: You’re privy to some great mysteries
of the otherworlds.
Possessed by:
New Agers, Parapsychologists, Fortune Tellers, Mystics, Theurges.
Specialties: Tarot, Witchcraft, Curses, Ghosts, Psychometry.
Politics
“How can you trust him?” Alice nearly shouted. “He’s a shadow lord. He’s using you, Leon!”
“No, he’s not,” Leon replied quietly. “If anything, I’m using him. Gunraven may seem like a total bastard, but he’s quietly sunk more money into the city’s school system than you’ll ever see. I know for a fact he’ll bring his tribe with him. And you must admit, there’s nobody better suited to swaying the sept officials than the Lords.”
This knowledge covers understanding political systems as well as knowing who’s who in the world of government. Characters with Politics can be quite effective when they’re trying yo sway public opinion or elected officials because they know just what to say to get things done. They can also figure out how to navigate human or wolf political structures in order to talk to the “right werewolf” to get their goals accomplished.
* Student:
You vote and take part in occasional protests.
**College: Local and regional politicians invite your help
on their campaigns.
*** Masters: You’ve helped on state and national political
stumps.
**** Doctorate: You could be a member of the national government.
***** Scholar: Your knowledge of politics rivals Machiavelli.
Possessed by:
Politicians, Caern Personnel, Elders, Diplomats, Activists, Lobbyists, PAC
members, Shadow Lords.
Specialties: Fundraising, Political Philosophy, Grass Roots,
Elections, Caern Hierarchy.
Rituals
Reach of Song looked carefully at his newest charge. “You look dubious, cub. Is there a flaw in the plan?”
“Well, if we jump the guards in Crinos, we’ll look pretty conspicuous on the street afterwards, what with our clothes in shreds.” Since he Firsted a month ago, Jason was running out of jeans.
“That’s not a problem,” replied the older Strider. “Hold still.” Jason watched as his mentor, eyes closed in deep concentration touched the boy’s jeans, then his shirt and finally his shoes. “Simple enough. I’ve dedicated them to you; they will change to fit no matter your form. And if you impress me on this outing, I’ll show you how to perform this rite yourself.” Reach of Song added with a hidden smile.
Rituals and rites are an important part of werewolf life. This knowledge lets the character know about the traditions, mysteries and ceremonies of the werewolves, including how to participate in such events and behave properly toward elders and leaders. At higher levels the character may also know about the sacred rites of other tribes. A character needs a Rituals rating equal to or greater than the level of rite he knows or seeks to learn.
* Student:
You’ve watched a few rites closely.
** College: You carry yourself well at tribal moots.
*** Masters: Other tribes invite you to attend their moots.
**** Doctorate: Even Black Spirals respect your knowledge.
***** Scholar: You can devise original rites.
Possessed by:
Garou, Changing Breeds, Rare Kinfolk.
Specialties: Accord, Caern, Death, Mystic, Punishment, Renown,
Seasonal, Minor.
Science
Soren checked the pipette. “Almost finished, Lise. Its risk to transport, but it’ll blow those doors off, guaranteed.
“Good,” his packmate replied. “I daresay we could tear out the housing with our claws, but a bit of your special liquid explosive never hurts, especially since we’re outnumbered.” She put a firm hand on his shoulder. “I’ll see to it that Otto puts in a word or two about this in his next saga.” Lise grinned fiercely, a look Soren returned eagerly.
At its most basic meaning, Science is simply a systemized study of some specific subject, and over the years, scientists as a whole have developed a number of universal laws and theories that the character will probably know. This knowledge is broad, and characters should probably choose an area of expertise (such as biology, chemistry or geology) or two closely related areas of science with Storyteller permission.
* Student:
You understand basic theories and laws.
** College: You comprehend and can teach complex science
applications.
*** Masters: In your area of expertise, you can construct
useful items and substances.
**** Doctorate: Your applications are worthy of a Nobel Prize.
***** Scholar: You’re made well-known and lasting contributions
to science.
Possessed by:
Researchers, Engineers, Inventors, Technicians.
Specialties: Experiments, Theory, Specific Equipment, Practical
Applications.
Other Knowledges: Area Knowledges, Cosmology, Herbalism, Wyrm Lore, Poisons